This subfamily was resurrected by Grant et al. (2006) to include most of the former (and present) Epipedobates, as well as a handful of other species. Synapomorphies include: first finger longer than second, third finger swollen in adult males (in some species), cephalic amplexus present.
Genera contained within Colostethinae:
| Ameerega | (30 species) | Bauer, 1988 |
| Colostethus | (19 species) | Cope, 1866 |
| Epipedobates | (5 species) | Myers, 1987 |
| Silverstoneia | (3 species) | Grant et al., 2006 |